Happy to be Home

 

13 days

6 flights

5 hotels

& now ...

Home.

My mom used to say "it's nice to go away, but nice to come home too."  I completely agree.  I loved every moment of our vacation, but as the end was nearing I was growing tired of ordering from menus, hotel beds and public restrooms/washrooms.

I have a few more trip highlights to share once the laundry is done, the pile of mail is tended to, the plants are watered, etc...  Oh, and I need to change my blog header before fall officially arrives.

" When you're safe at home you wish you were having an adventure,
when you're having an adventure you wish you were safe at home"
~ Thornton Wilder

Be back soon,
Kim 

On To Whistler

 

While researching the "must see" things to do while we were in Vancouver a drive along the Sea to Sky Highway seemed like a "must do" so off we went happily munching on the hazelnuts we had purchased at the local farmer's market.

 The weather was picture perfect and the sights were... well, beautiful.

 Not long after arriving in Whistler, we enjoyed a delicious vegetable pizza while watching the cable cars make their steady ascent up the mountain.  I knew getting to the top of the mountains was the "must see" way for fully experiencing the beauty of the area.  However, I wondered whether the height would be an issue for me.  It's been a long, long time since I've been on any type of cable car or ski lift.  I decided to throw caution to the wind and go for it.

After lunch we purchased our tickets for the Peak to Peak Gondola and with slightly sweaty palms I hopped in and off we went.

 Stepping out of the cable car at the first summit, we were in awe of the natural beauty to be found in every direction.  The air was so fresh and clear.  I felt like I had just stepped into a postcard.

We were interested to learn about the small animal who was instrumental in the naming of Whistler Mountain:

We then boarded the 2nd gondola to continue our trek up the mountain.

 

By now I was a seasoned gondola traveler and quite enjoyed the gentle glide through the treetops.

  Soon it was time to exit the gondola.

Right away we saw a large group of people squatting down with cameras poised.  We were soon pointing the camera at this:

 The Whistling Marmot!

He wasn't whistling, but he sure was attracting a lot of attention.

We enjoyed a cup of coffee while overlooking this amazing sight.

Oh how I wanted this day to never end :).

But, all too soon, it was time to board the gondola and return to reality.

I'd like to extend a special thank you to the British Columbia gals for your comments on my previous post.  I nearly cried when I found out about your upcoming book signing at the Granville Island Ten Thousand Villages.  Oh how I would have LOVED to be there for that.  The hardest part of this trip has been being so close and not having the opportunity to meet you.  Through the years of reading your blogs and following your Mennonite Girls Can Cook story I have been completely enthralled with your beautiful province.  The chance to experience it has been more wonderful than I can begin to convey. 

Anneliese, to answer your question in comments,

 Yes, I have noticed the logo on your license plates.

In fact this is one of my over 500 photos.

I now know, without a doubt, that it is indeed a beautiful, beautiful place.

As Beautiful as Expected

As the plane prepared for landing, I couldn't help but wonder whether our destination would live up to all I had expected it to be.  You know how sometimes you can build a place up in your mind over time and then it isn't quite as you had pictured it once you get there?

 

~ Scenes from the Vancouver International Airport ~

(not the clearest photos as Brett was rushing me along to the customs line, but let me just say this welcome to Vancouver makes a real statement complete with the sounds of duck calls)

 

 Upon stepping off the plane I knew my expectations would most likely be met, if not exceeded.

You see, it was when I began blogging (five or six years ago) and began visiting  Judy's Front Porch  that I saw the beauty of British Columbia for the first time.  Each time Judy would do a post featuring scenes from her front porch and surrounding areas, I was awed by the beauty.  In fact at one point I felt it necessary to find another word than "beautiful" to use in comments.  Ha!  It was a challenge, but I've tried alternating amazing, stunning, gorgeous, awesome, etc.  

Through the years I have had it in the back of my mind to someday, somehow get myself to British Columbia to experience this beautiful place.

When the invitation for a wedding in Seattle arrived, the light bulb went on.  Brett has listened to me sing the praises of British Columbia for so long that he was willing to add a few days to the trip.  We did a little research on some of the "must sees" while in the area and made a list of what we could reasonably see in our three short days here.

Before leaving the airport we marveled at the interesting sights to be found there.

Tall Totem Poles on the way to the rental car desk.

A wall of live plants grows alongside the parking deck.

This warranted a closer look ...

 after a long day of travel we spotted this:

a unanimous decision was reached to start the culinary portion of the trip with one of these:

I'm not sure but I think calories don't count when you're on vacation.  At least that's what I'm telling myself. :)

As of this post our time in Vancouver has come and gone. 

We packed every moment of our short time here with memory making experiences.  I have taken hundreds of photos and will share a few in upcoming posts.  When we were first planning the trip I hoped it might be possible to meet up with Judy, but it soon became evident that time would not permit.  However, our travels took us here:

the name sounded familiar so we went in and saw this:

which made me think about Judy and the rest of the Mennonite Girls .   It also made me think of the interesting connections that are made in blog land.  Had I not discovered Judy's blog all those years ago, I don't think I would have found myself in British Columbia and that would have been most unfortunate.  This has been a most memorable trip and one that I will not soon forget.

Suddenly September

 

 With the arrival of September, I thought it was time to move on from bra talk to something a bit more seasonally appropriate like ... apples. 

 While I'm looking forward to sinking my teeth into a freshly picked apple and ...

spending a cool autumn afternoon in the kitchen baking a fresh caramel apple cake ...

 that will all have to wait a while longer.

Tomorrow at this time I'll be flying across the country for a much anticipated vacation.  The purple dress (& bra:) are coming along with me.  For those who asked, I'll try to post a photo of me in the dress.  I appreciate your comments and input on that subject.  

The wedding is in a state I've never been to and near an area I've wanted to see for quite a while now.  If time permits I'm hoping to squeeze in a few little side trips.  If so I'll send a postcard or two from the road.

I'm a bit behind on answering e-mails and commenting right now.  Just wanted to let you know the reason and that I haven't forgotten about you.  I'll try to catch up when I return.

In the meantime, I hope September is off to a fine start for you.

Girl Talk

 

I'm currently in the process of assembling an outfit for an upcoming wedding.  I don't usually buy my clothes online.  However, after striking out in several stores I decided to browse online to see what I could find.  I ended up ordering three possibilities from Dillards.com.  Once they arrived I had them hanging from the laundry room door and without being asked my family members offered their opinions on the various choices.  This was fine by me as the choice seemed to be unanimous.  Pictured above is the winner.  I think the jewel toned purple shows better in person, but you get the idea.

 

 It seems at this stage of life it's harder to find clothes I'm happy with because I'm trying to camouflage so many things.  This dress seemed to cover all the bases pretty well.  The only thing I found somewhat problematic is the wideness of the cut across the back.  Maybe I'm too modest, but I can't stand to have my bra straps popping out.  

I decided to visit the lingerie department when I returned the unwanted dresses to Dillard's.  Perhaps a new bra would solve the problem.  As I was heading for the fitting room with one purple number (thinking the color might blend with the dress if it were to pop out), the sales clerk inquired whether I would be interested in a bra fitting.  Although I remember well the show Oprah did on this subject urging all women to get a proper fitting, I didn't think I wanted to subject myself to that.

After trying on the one I selected and thinking more about her offer, I decided to step out of my comfort zone and go for it. So I quickly sought out the bra fitter and muttered my wish before I chickened out.  Much to my horror it was the day she was training a new gal so the two of them joined me in the fitting room and the fun  began.

It wasn't long before I let go of my inhibitions and listened intently to the finer points of selecting a proper fitting bra.

 Without going into the boring details, suffice it to say I feel like a new woman and the bra size I've been wearing for years and years wasn't even close to being correct.

 I tried the dress on over the correct sized bra and marveled at the difference.  No funny bumps in strange places, no straps showing and a nice smooth appearance under the somewhat clingy dress.

Best of all . . .

 It was a very uplifting experience (if you know what I mean :).

Although I was a bit hesitant to subject myself to this ordeal, I'm so glad I did.  In fact I wish I'd done it years ago.  I came home and tossed 12 bras that have been in my drawer for years.  Every time I bought one in the past I was sure it was the right one until I wore it and discovered things I didn't like about it.  Now I feel very confident with the way I look and feel in my new undergarment.

I didn't purchase the Maidenform brand, but I had to laugh at the claims being made in these vintage ads.  All adds courtesy of Google Images.

 As you can tell I am pleased with my new purchases from the lingerie department.  I'm not sure that I feel like a fireman though.

I think I'll stick to serving tea.

 

 Any interesting bra stories you'd care to share as long as we're having a little girl talk?

 

In a Soggy Slump

 

Not a very inspiring title is it?

But, it seems to be the way things are around here.

These gray days are getting on my nerves. 

A container planted in June.

If you could see it now... a few mushy stalks and nary a flower in sight.

I should probably care about making it look nicer as it's right out side the front door, but to be honest I'm just ignoring it until it's time to plant for fall. 

 

 Multi colored hibiscus tree underplanted with million bells.

The hibiscus is still flowering nicely.

Despite my best efforts the million bells died a slow death.

I realize this post could look entirely different (in a scary kind of way) if I were to post photos of what these same flowers look like today.  They look about the way I feel... in a slump.  Sick?  No.

Depressed?  No.  Just in a lethargic, uninspired, tired of gray gloom kind of slump.

Why am I posting this drivel today?

I have no idea other than it seemed like time to put up a new post and the inspiration, interest & desire to do so were eluding me.

I've been visiting all over the blogosphere and decided that that's not necessarily the best thing to do in the throes of a slump.  It can make one feel like they should be transforming a room, whipping up a gourmet meal, taking photos like a pro, etc...

I guess it all goes back to that debate we sometimes have in blogland... do we only share the pretty nice things or keep it a little more real?  Without prattling on further, I'm here to say while I strive to be happy @ home, in reality there are grumpy days too.  Sometimes with good reason and other times for no other reason than being fed up with gloomy weather.  

For better or worse I'm keeping it real today.

 

Thinking Ahead

 For some reason I have been answering the call of Fall despite the fact that it is only August.  My recent stops at the thrift shop have yielded fall treasures that I've been squirrelling away at home in anticipation of the upcoming autumn season.

With thrift shopping you have to buy it when you see it as it's not likely to be there if you wait to buy things in the correct season.  Christmas in July, Easter in February, Fall in August... sure, it all makes sense in the land of thrift shopping :).

I do think our unusually gray, rainy summer has contributed to my longing for all things autumn.  Heck if it's going to look like autumn it might as well be autumn.  Well, not really.  I don't think I want to rush into it that fast, but I am feeling a bit of excitement in the air for the season of cozy cuddle-up, sweater wearin', cider sippin', nip in the air, pumpkin pickin' Fall.  

So, a little collage with a few of my recent thrifty finds (l to r, top to bottom):

1.  beautiful white linen placemats featuring fall leaves

2.  votive holder painted with leaves, acorns & berries

3.  white soup tureen with leafy design & pear shaped handle (can hardly wait to fill it with butternut squash soup).   

4.  orange, clove & cinnamon essential oil candle

5.  cozy cream cardigan 

6.  brand new "Farmer's Market" Yankee candle

(for 80 cents no less).

Okay, carry on with summer.

Fall will arrive soon enough and when it does I'll be ready.